germ-free en · ADJ
Etymology
From germ + -free.
Meanings
- (not-comparable) Without any (especially harmful) microorganisms; aseptic.
-
(not-comparable) Specifically, pertaining to an animal with no microorganisms living in or on it, used in gnotobiotic research.
It is worth being cautious: many studies show associations rather than cause and effect, and some are based only on studies in germ-free mice and have not been explored in humans.
2018, Nicola Davis, The Guardian, 256 March:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| germfree | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (2)
af kiemvry (without any microorganism) · de keimfrei (without any microorganism)